Insulated central air vent cover

ABSTRACT

An insulated central air vent cover is easy to apply and provides a secure seal over a central air vent to prevent cold air that may be in air conditioning duct work from entering a dwelling. The insulated central air vent cover can include a rigid or semi-rigid panel having foam strips formed about its perimeter. Two or more rare earth magnets can be disposed along the periphery of the panel for attracting the cover to steel screws used to hold the air vent cover in place. The insulated central air vent cover can be applied to various vent covers, including aluminum and plastic vents, provided that a steel (or some other magnetically attractive material) screw is used to secure the vent cover in place.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to heating accessories and, more particularly, to a cold weather, insulated central air vent cover.

In colder climates, cold air falls down HVAC systems into the home. For example, the air within air conditioning vents and returns can be chilled when these ducts flow through attics or crawl spaces. This cold air can then circulate into the conditioned air space within a home.

While some products attempt to block vents, these conventional products can be difficult to install, requiring clamps or the like, or don't adhere properly to the vents, such as magnetic covers that may not adhere to aluminum HVAC vents.

As can be seen, there is a need for an insulated central air vent cover that can be easy to apply and provide a seal to prevent cold air from escaping into a conditioned (heated) air space in the home.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an insulated central air vent cover comprises a panel sized to match a size of a vent cover; at least two magnets disposed about an outer periphery of the panel on an upper side thereof; and an insulating strip disposed about the outer periphery of the panel on the upper side thereof.

In another aspect of the present invention, an insulated central air vent cover comprises a panel sized to match a size of a vent cover; at least two rare earth magnets disposed about an outer periphery of the panel on an upper side thereof; and a foam strip disposed about the outer periphery of the panel on the upper side thereof.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an insulated central air vent cover, in use, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating placement and removal of the insulated central air vent cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the insulated central air vent cover of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an insulated central air vent cover that is easy to apply and provides a secure seal over a central air vent to prevent cold air that may be in air conditioning duct work from entering a dwelling. The insulated central air vent cover can include a rigid or semi-rigid panel having foam strips formed about its perimeter. Two or more rare earth magnets can be disposed along the periphery of the panel for attracting the cover to steel screws used to hold the air vent cover in place. The insulated central air vent cover can be applied to various vent covers, including aluminum and plastic vents, provided that a steel (or some other magnetically attractive material) screw is used to secure the vent cover in place.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, a rigid or semi-rigid panel 12 can be precut to standard sizes of HVAC vent covers. The panels 12 can be made of various materials, such as plastic, foam, composite, or the like.

An insulating strip 16, such as foam strips, can be installed on one side of the panel 12 about its outer periphery, as shown in FIG. 3. The foam strips 16 can be formed in various thicknesses and can be designed to be the same thickness as the magnets, as described below. The foam strips can be attached to the panel 12 by various methods, such as with an adhesive.

Two or more magnets 14 can be placed on the panel 12 along its outer periphery, on the same side as the insulating strips 16. However, typically the insulating strips 16 are cut to provide a space for attachment of the magnet 14 to the panel 12. The magnets 14 can be positioned to align with steel screws 18 used to secure a vent cover 20 to the HVAC system. In some embodiments, rare earth magnets can be used to provide a strong magnetic attraction between the magnets 14 and the screws 18. Typically, the magnets 14 can be disposed on opposite sides, in a midpoint of each of the sides of the panel 12.

To use the central air vent cover, the user can simply place the panel 20 over the vent cover 20 so that the magnets 14 align with the screws 18. The foam strips 16 can then form a seal along the outer periphery of the face of the vent cover 20. To remove the central air vent cover, the user can simply pull on the cover to disengage the magnetic attraction between the magnets 14 and the screws 18.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An insulated central air vent cover comprising: a panel sized to match a size of a vent cover; at least two magnets disposed about an outer periphery of the panel on an upper side thereof; and an insulating strip disposed about the outer periphery of the panel on the upper side thereof.
 2. The insulated central air vent cover of claim 1, wherein the insulating strip is a foam strip.
 3. The insulated central air vent cover of claim 1, wherein the at least two magnets are rare earth magnets.
 4. The insulated central air vent cover of claim 1, wherein the magnets are disposed on opposite sides of the panel at a midpoint of the opposite sides.
 5. The insulated central air vent cover of claim 1, wherein the insulating strips are cut to permit placement of the at least two magnets.
 6. An insulated central air vent cover comprising: a panel sized to match a size of a vent cover; at least two rare earth magnets disposed about an outer periphery of the panel on an upper side thereof; and a foam strip disposed about the outer periphery of the panel on the upper side thereof.
 7. The insulated central air vent cover of claim 6, wherein the at least two rare earth magnets are disposed on opposite sides of the panel at a midpoint of the opposite sides.
 8. The insulated central air vent cover of claim 6, wherein the insulating strips are cut to permit placement of the at least two rare earth magnets. 